|
   |
 |
                 
|
EMILY HOLTON
I am Branch Chief of the Gravitational Research Branch. In my former life,
I studied the importance of gravity on skeletal growth and development.
An average day in my field is filled with many meetings so that I do my
productive work in the PM.
The most exciting thing about my job is that it is always a challenge. I think that Ames research center is the most exciting place in the world to work and that we need to showcase our facilities and our people. My route to NASA was very unplanned. I was doing very well in academia and was satisfied with my position. I got married and moved to Salisbury, MD which in the early 60's was a place that time had passed by (read "Chesapeake" for details). With no medical schools in easy commute distance and an NIH grant being of no use in job hunting, I visited Wallops Island and begged them to hire me. Much to my surprise, they did. And, I became the only "biologist" (actually I am a pharmacologist) on the base. But I learned a lot about speaking engineering. My five years at Wallops gave me an incredible foundation and appreciation for the global NASA when I transferred to Ames Research Center in 1973. I did not feel pressured NOT to go into a math-and -science based field because it was not "girlish" enough but I sure did have some strange interviews when I applied for medical school. Those interviews made me decide to go to graduate school rather than medical school. I have not had a lot of obstacles getting to where I am right now. I've had great mentors and maintained my sense of humor. When obstacles occurred, I collected data, analyzed the situation, solved the problem, and got on with life. I love my landscaping and working in my yard and garden, like to walk, listen to classical music, visit with friends, attend church, read novels, attend plays, ballet, and symphony, or whatever presents itself at the moment. I would liked to have known when I was younger that it is more important to understand than to memorize. Memorizing is much easier for me, but then I forget quickly also (unless my mind decides the information shouldn't be dumped. When I was hired at Wallops, Dr. Robert Krieger said to me, "There's space, now do something significant." I've been so appreciative of his faith in me that I have tried my best to do something significant. I've had a marvelous research career and been very lucky and supported by both the internal and external community. I relish the opportunity to mentor younger people and try to instill my enthusiasm for Ames research Center, science, and life in general. Archive of chats with Dr. Holton:
Questions Answered
[HOME] [PROFILES] [WOMEN OF THE WORLD] [SPANISH] [CHATS] [TEACH] [RESOURCES] Credits and Contacts |
||
|
|
|
